Courtney Love brings hits and surprises to Houston

Her Friday night show at House of Blues wasn’t to support a new album or even a single. (That’s due at the end of the year.) It made for a relatively light, if fiercely loyal, crowd. But it also made for a looser, livelier setlist.

She ripped through “Miss World” and a cover of Stevie Nicks’ “Gold Dust Woman” before shooing away photographers.

“You guys gotta go before my makeup starts to run. I’m a regular Beyoncé about this,” she quipped. (Houston’s Queen B banned all photographers from her current tour.)

Love’s voice rasped against every song like sandpaper. She took red roses from a fan then threw the petals back into the crowd. And she downed “a snort of tequila” before launching into the fierce cry of “Violet.”

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but I’ve never been a drinker,” she said before struggling to down the shot.

But it helped and seemed to open up her voice. She looked noticeably pleased after fierce renditions of “Malibu,” Asking For It” and “Jennifer’s Body”/”Pretty on the Inside.” The crowd responded by singing louder and hoisting fists into the air. And when Love launched into the slick pop of “Celebrity Skin,” things were at a fever pitch.

“You know what to do if you want us back,” Love teased before leaving the stage less than an hour after she started. She returned, with just a guitarist, for a raggedly heartfelt take on the Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb.” It set the stage for several rarely performed originals, including “Softer, Softest,” “Beautiful Son” and “Use Once and Destroy.” It was a truly inspired stretch of songs.

That she included “Doll Parts” was mere icing for the girl with the most cake. The ’90s never sounded so urgent.